Lawrence Says We Can Do It!

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 24/08/2001

LENNIE LAWRENCE believes Grimsby Town can win both games this week if they buckle down to it. The game against Preston tomorrow is the anniversary of his appointment as manager and he is looking for a win to celebrate.

However, Lennie introduced a note of caution saying, "If we start like we did against Lincoln we'll be 2-0 down and it will be all over before we know it,"

"But if we focus and force the game on then I fancy us. He told the Grimsby Telegraph. "We're capable of winning both games but we're also capable of losing them. We have to set the same standards. If we don't set our stall out properly in the first game, or they physically can't do it on Monday, we'll get done.

"It's tempting fate but it wasn't a bad time to be playing West Brom, and it's not the worst time to be playing Preston. I'm aware of the quality in their team with Jon Macken and David Healy. After all, they've turned down £4-million for Macken."

The GET says that Loan defender David Beharall will come back into the starting line-up and non-contract left-winger Mick Boulding could be in the squad.

"...It's a younger team now..."

Although Wayne Burnett was hoping to join in training today he will miss out and so will Paul Raven, Stacy Coldicott, Steve Livingstone, David Smith, Bradley Allen, Iain Ward, Chris Thompson, and Graham Hockless.

It is expected that Jonny Rowan and Phil Jevons will be up front and Lawrence is worried about further injuries.

"If we lose two players against Preston then we're in trouble big time. From the games in pre-season the starting line-up that was taking place is virtually still there and intact, apart from Wayne and Livvo.

"We knew we'd have to go to war for the first five or six games with the same few players, and we've done three. We need that good fortune to go on for three more games.

"It will be a test for them physically and three games in six days was a problem for them last year. But it's a younger team now."

Grimsby Town: (from) Coyne, McDermott, Gallimore, Groves, Beharall, Pouton, Campbell, Willems, Butterfield, Jevons, Rowan, Jeffrey, Chapman, Ford, Burnett, Boulding, Ermes, Busscher.

David Beharall talks about the Preston game. Click here for full story!

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